Can the Subalterns Sketch? A Critical Semiotic Analysis of the Novel ‘Munnu: A Boy from Kashmir’

Abstract

This paper is formulated under the conceptual framework of Gayatri spivak’s theory of Can Subaltern Speak? And explores the potential permeability of visual resources as a form of discourse through which subalterns found opportunity to counter media hegemony and make their voices heard. In order to analyze the selected graphic novel Munnu: A Boy From Kashmir (2015) the present qualitative study applies Grunter Kress and Theo Van Leeuwen’s model of visual design (2010) that connects the representational meaning to the interactive one. The analyst reflected upon how the interplay of visuals images and words together displayed the theme of Kashmir’s subjugation as well as how this genre has proved supportive to author to counter the said hegemony. Hence, the study found consent, political domination and media control as the broad elements that can be seen in the novel and also the study concludes that counter hegemony is possible through such literary genres, as the novel’s narrator has communicated those aspects of hegemonic situation in Kashmir to a large audience through literary discourse of graphic novel genre that are chiefly absent from mainstream media’s treatments of the Kashmir’s conflict. ______